With the passing of the 150th commemoration of the signing of the Navajo Treaty of 1868, many questions have arisen regarding the future direction of Fort Sumner Historic Site/Bosque Redondo Memorial. But before discussing the future, it is necessary to visit the past. This talk will briefly discuss the history of Fort Sumner, the Navajo Treaty of 1868 that established the sovereign Navajo Nation and ended the Bosque Redondo Reservation, the evolution of the historical narrative of Fort Sumner Historic Site, and the future exhibits of Bosque Redondo Memorial.

Aaron Roth is Site Manager of Fort Sumner Historic Site/Bosque Redondo Memorial, who partners with New Mexico state personnel, research firms, local/regional communities, and members of the Navajo Nation and Mescalero Apache Tribe to better explain watershed events in tribal history and allow safe space for healing and reconciliation. For the last five years, Aaron performed academic/archival research of tribal histories and oral histories. As well, Aaron spent two years collaborating with tribal members and understands what is required to develop lasting partnerships and exhibits that truly reflect moments of change and hardship in history.

Aaron holds an MA in Southwest Studies Anthropology from New Mexico Highlands University and a BS in historic archaeology from Heidelberg University.